Sennheiser
RS-45
Wireless Heaphones

Product Description

The wireless RS 45 RF headphone system consists of a pair of hi-fi stereo headphones with integrated RF receiver and a transmitter which connects to your hi-fi system or TV. One transmitter can supply any number of headphones. Additional HDR 45 headphones are available separately.

User Reviews

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
nuts4sound
a Audio Enthusiast

Date Reviewed: January 16, 2006

Bottom Line:

These headphones sound better than the Sony and Pioneer headphones I have and there is no cord!!! It says the range is 300 feet - I DON"T THINK SO. I'd say it is more like 75' but only if you hold your head the right way and don't move. Less than 30" is good but you can get some static. For what I use them for around the house, the are GREAT.

The sad thing is that they sound really good within 10 feet of the transmitter. From there on I wonder why you would buy these headphones "without restictions" when a headphone cord is almost this long and you can buy an extension so the "radio fuzz" doesn't ruin your music. I bought these with the idea I could walk around my yard and all the way out to my dock (about 100', they claim a range of 300') and still hear the music clearly. I have tried several positions for the transmitter and even connected it to my living room system which is closer to the water, with the same results (I like the sound close range, not the equvalent of high end headphones, but good for cordless) . I will be returning these, even though I got them at a steal for $55.

The 24 hour initial charge is bs, I charged it for 5 hours, took it off the hook and used it non stop for over four and a half hours. That's a great initial surprise. Reception is great as long as I stay on the same floor of the house (only wood beams and dry wall seperating the rooms. Soon as i go downstairs (house is built of cement, brick, and steel beams) choppiness gets annoying. I can take these outside for a cigarette, but must find a position where I get reception and stay that way to keep reception. Even slight nodding, or tilting one way or another will create silence with a hiss. As for sound quality, the hiss can be annoying and really detrimental to it, but keep a short distance you should be fine. The highs are quite warm, and not harsh. The mids are lacking a little, but its at an acceptable level. The bass though said to be lacking by other reviewers, I find it acceptable, and I like the fact that it's tight, and not boomy like sony's MDR-7505. Another minor annoyance is when changing channels, you have to turn the heaphone off then on again for it to be on the new channel. It has 3 channels, not 2 like most places advertise. Even when the source is not feeding the reciever, the batteries will go down on the headphones unless you switch them off.

I have had various headphones in my life. My bedroom growing up was directly below my parents' and I usually had no choice if I wanted to listen to my music at any level above background music. I bought these for my father for his birthday, but listened to them first. I wanted to make sure I was getting my money's worth. I found the headphones surprisingly light and comfortable. These also stayed put on my head while walking around better than some more expensive corded models I've owned. I would rate the sound quuality within about 30 feet of the transmitter to be equal to that of most corded headphones of equal or even slightly greater price. As with just about any headphones in this price range the bass response is not as good as a pair of speakers, but as headphones go it is very good. Past 30 feet there is a slight hiss that is similar to a weak FM signal from a tuner. At normal or slightly higher than normal listening levels the hiss is barely noticeable. I did not test the full range but I would say the reported range of 300 ft. is suspect. That is to say if you plan on buying these and thinking you'll wear them while you work in the yard or check your fence line you will probably be disappointed. The transmitter base will hold charge a spare battery which can be purchased separately. However, the battery life seemed to equal the 4 hrs reported, which is probably plenty of time for normal use. The transmitter plugs into the headphone jack and there is an adapter to plug it into RCA/phono jacks. The volume can be raised or lowered from a control on the headphone within a range. Master volume control is through the receiver via the headphone jack output.

I consider them to be an excellant buy for the money. The freedom of movement without having to worry about the cord is great. I plan on buying a set for my son for his stereo and perhaps one for my stereo.

I was looking for a cordless headphones for late night movies and dance practise in my room . So after some research and recommandation , I purchase these headphones . They look really neat and have great resale value here . After the intial 24 hrs charging , I tested it with some DVD . The dialogue is clear and detail . After 2 hours of movie-watching , they remain comfortablely perched on my head ( hell , I can even sleep with it on !). Afterforth , I tried some bassy music and classicals . The treble is good , but not the best music I have ever heard , The midrange is rather undefine and I would expect more bass from headphones costing this much (heehee , poor student :P) .

As this is my 1st serious headphone( discman earphones and chic sony clip-earphones excluded), I really cant compare much as others r not in the same categery . I must say radio interferance are rather absent , though walking from my apartment room to the toilet , some crackle and hiss is definately evident.The battery life lived longer than the recommanded 4 hrs which is really useful .

I conclude that if you are paying $80 for absolute quality sound , there are better corded headphones for this price . But , if you , like me are paying for convinience and reasonably good quality sound (you would'nt want cables dangling around your feet while u watch movies 4 meters away right ?) , the RS-45 is a fine buy .